Saturday, March 16, 2019
8:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Harford Community College

Join us to learn about the current state of Harford County’s agriculture and food system and the advantages of “buying local”. Discuss with farmers the new trends in farming and learn what is behind the food label. We welcome everyone, and if you have little or no knowledge about farming or food, this is the event for you!

The program will include four informative sessions co-presented by local farmers and specialists. Consider being a “food ambassador” to our conference for your organization! Space is limited, so please register early.

The Scholar-in-Residence Program at Harford Community College is an opportunity for full-time faculty to shift from a teaching-centered role to a research/scholarship-centered role while maintaining a full-time, active presence on the college campus and within the community. The focus is not only on scholarship, but also on the integration and infusion of that scholarship into the campus, the curriculum, and the community.

Gathering at the Community Table:
Celebrating Harford’s Farms and Food

Harford County has a rich food history from its Native American roots and the bounty of the Susquehanna and Chesapeake, to its fertile land and once renowned canning industry. Most recently, Harford has experienced both diversity of ethnic cuisines and community interest in sustainable agriculture and the “Farm to Table” movement. Foodways and our food production are wonderful topics to bring diverse people together to learn about each other’s lives and cultures. In addition, Harford County has taken measures to protect its farmland for future generations.

Using her academic expertise, Sharon Stowers, the 2018-19 Scholar-in-Residence, will conduct an applied research study of Harford County’s agriculture and food culture to stimulate county-wide engagement around issues of a sustainable community-based food system. She will invite farmers, the public, including children, and HCC students to “take a seat at the community table” through new curricula, a symposium, discussions, cooking demonstrations, a film festival and other public events.

The project’s goals include conducting a local socio-cultural ethnography of food producers (farmers) and food consumers (community members); collaborating and sharing research with government and non-profit organizations; assisting in agricultural and food policy and program development; engendering discussion with the HCC and county communities about issues such as a farm preservation and sustainable food systems; and publishing research on farmers and public perceptions of new trends in agriculture and food preference, such as the increased demand for organic food and the avoidance of genetically modified foods.

Please plan to join Sharon, Harford Community College, and our community in one of the many events as we gather to learn about and celebrate the farms and food of Harford County.

Sponsors of the symposium include Harford Community College and its Foundation's Grants for Innovation Program, Harford County Office of Community and Economic Development, and Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation.

Upcoming Events

(Events are free unless noted.)

One Harford, One BookFarmacology: Total Health From the Ground Up, by Daphne Miller, MD

Join your fellow Harford Countians by reading our food-themed book selection to celebrate the wisdom of farming as a model for health. Look for the book discussion event during National Library Week, April 8-14, 2019.

"Bridging the traditional divide between agriculture and medicine, Miller shares lessons learned from inspiring farmers and biomedical researcher and artfully weaves their insights and discoveries, along with stories from her patients, into the narrative. The result is a compelling new vision for sustainable healing and a treasure trove of farm-to-body lessons that have immense value in our daily lives." - Harper Collins

Diced! A Food Fight for Our Farmers!

Monday, June 3, 6:30PM
The Vandiver Inn, Havre de Grace
Fresh, local food is worth fighting for! Join us for a chef challenge to support our local agricultural and restaurant community! Cheer on our local chef’s as they use Harford’s fresh produce and mystery ingredients to produce a tasty, delicious meal. Enjoy some samples of great local cuisine prepared by Vandiver Inn, topped off with a drink from their bar, all to benefit our farmers.